July 18, 2019 10.14 am This story is over 56 months old

Military buildings blighted by criminal behaviour to be turned into housing

Problems have included fly-tipping, travellers accessing the site, graffiti, arson
One of the buildings is RAF Harlaxtan's former Decontamination Hospital.

Two derelict and run down former Second World War military buildings blighted criminal activity near Grantham will be converted into housing.

The former Decontamination Hospital, built to assist in case of gas or chemical attacks, and Stand-by Set House, which housed a generator in case of power cuts, currently sit in Harlaxtan Estate and were part of the former RAF Harlaxton which closed in 1957.

Applicants TRCPR have been given permission to turn both into separate single-story homes, with the hospital containing three-bedrooms and a roof terrace accessed though a former water tower, while the stand-by house would see a small extension built over the footprint of the former oil tank bases.

In documents before South Kesteven District Council the applicants said the buildings have been subject of a variety of anti‐social behaviour over recent years, including fly-tipping, travellers accessing the site, graffiti, arson and drinking and drug taking.

The buildings have been subject to vandalism and anti-social behaviour over recent years.

“The landowner remains extremely concerned about the activities taking place in the buildings and despite best efforts to prevent access, he has been unsuccessful at doing so,” they said.

It is hoped the plans will deter future issues.

The applicants say they want to retain the military feel, form and bulk of the buildings as much as possible.

Garages will be provided for each dwelling, but would be in the style of Nissen huts to keep within the theme.

An artist’s impression of how the Decontamination Hospital will look.

Much of the natural landscape surrounding the buildings is planned to be retained to create a remote feeling.

The nearby Harlaxtan Manor is currently owned by The University of Evansville operating as Harlaxton College and has connections to Illinois and Kentucky in the USA.

Its estate also includes a number of other structures associated with the use of the site as a Royal Flying Corps airfield, including platforms for huts, blast trenches and pits.

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